VanLife Campers: From the Family Business VanLife MTL to Canada’s Class B RV Leader

For nearly a decade, the story of VanLife Montréal, now known as VanLife Campers, has been written with the same passion: making van life accessible, comfortable, and sustainable for everyone. What began as a simple road trip dream has now propelled the company to become one of Canada’s leaders in Class B camper vans, offering a full 360° service—from manufacturing to sales, including the accessory shop, rentals, maintenance, and service.

Clémentine Courpied

Marketing Director

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3 minutes

The Beginnings of VanLife Campers

The story of VanLife Campers began in 2017, when David Vachon converted his first red Sprinter to explore the country. Captivated by the freedom of van life, he quickly turned this passion into a concrete project by launching VanLife MTL: a few rental vans, the first custom builds, and a demand that kept steadily growing.

Expansion and Community Building

Over the years, the company has evolved rapidly. It developed its own models — MEA, NOHR, RAVEN, and later ELYA — each designed to meet the realities of the Canadian climate and make van life accessible year-round, thanks to insulation rated down to -25 degrees. An accessories and van equipment shop was also added to support those who wish to complete their own conversions.

The van life community became a cornerstone with the creation of VanLife Friendly, a vast network of places to park and sleep in a van across Canada, as well as the Ka Halawai fest ival, which brings together hundreds of enthusiasts each year. At the same time, production increased, the team specialized, and a true 360° service was established: sales, rentals, retail shop, and service department.

A National Brand in Rapid Growth

With its growth and the expansion of its mission beyond Quebec, VanLife MTL ultimately adopted a new name: VanLife Campers. This change reflects the company’s expanded scale, its national presence, and its commitment to continuous innovation, including features such as the electric bed and the “ghost shower.” New models like LIV, APEX, and FOX were introduced, while the team has now grown to more than 65 employees and moved into new, modern facilities to support its rapidly expanding production.

VanLife Campers Today: A “One Stop Shop”

The transition from VanLife MTL to VanLife Campers symbolizes the evolution of a small family business into a national leader in Class B RVs.

The company now offers a complete service, unique in Canada:

Manufacturing of 4-season, 100% self-sufficient camper vans
Year-round van rentals
Van accessories and equipment shop
YouTube videos featuring accessory installations and troubleshooting solutions
Service department for maintenance, accessory installations, and winterization/de-winterization services
VanLife Friendlymembership with exclusive places to park and sleep in a van
Ka Halawai vanlife festival and Canadian tour

This 360° approach allows VanLife Campers to support each client at every stage of their van life journey, with long-term, personalized human support.

From the first red Sprinter to the creation of a complete lineup of 4-season vans, the story of VanLife Campers is driven by a simple vision: making adventure accessible, sustainable, and comfortable for everyone.

FAQ's

How did VanLife Campers begin?
VanLife Campers began in 2017 when David Vachon converted his first red Sprinter to travel across the country. What started as a personal road trip project quickly turned into a growing business, with rental vans, custom builds, and increasing demand that laid the foundation for a national brand.
What makes VanLife Campers different from other Class B RV companies in Canada?
VanLife Campers stands out with its unique 360° “One Stop Shop” approach. The company offers manufacturing, rentals, an accessories shop, a service department, educational YouTube content, the VanLife Friendly network, and even the Ka Halawai festival — all under one brand.
How has the company evolved over the years?
From a small family business known as VanLife MTL, the company rebranded to VanLife Campers to reflect its national growth. With innovative features like the electric bed and ghost shower, new models such as LIV, APEX, and FOX, and a team of over 65 employees, the company has become a leader in Canada’s Class B RV industry.